04/11/2026
In January 1879 a letter of complaint was sent to the St Helens Corporation, on behalf of Samuel Taylor...
Re Skating on the Eccleston Reservoir:
We are sorry to have to write to you again on behalf of Mr Taylor of Eccleston, as to an annoyance similar to that which arose out of the fishing question but which we think you will be able to deal with in the same way.
On the 12th inst. about 50 persons were observed skating on the Paddock Dam, and on being requested by Mr Taylor's servants to leave, refused to do so. Mr Taylor jnr. was obliged to go down personally to the dam and there found, along with a number of others, your Water Engineer, Mr Gaskin, with whom he remonstrated, pointing out that the Eccleston Mere was at the service of the public, and that orders had been given that skaters on the new reservoir should not be interfered with, provided no damage was done.
Mr Gaskin, in a not very courteous manner, maintained his right to skate and declined to retire.
All the other persons on being spoken to by Mr Taylor, left the place. As you know, Mr Taylor maintains that the Corporation have no right to use the reservoirs for purposes of sport or amusement. But without going into the question of strict right we hope that the Corporation, now that their attention has been called to the matter, will give instructions to their officers not to skate on the Paddock Dam. You can imagine the annoyance and damage which will result to Mr Taylor if the dam which is within his own private grounds, is to be used as a skating place by the public and, although, if Mr Taylor had only to deal with the public alone, the difficulty in keeping them off might not be great, yet it would be much increased if representations by officers of the Corporation that Mr Taylor is powerless in the matter are to remain unchecked.
We should be obliged if you will give this matter your immediate attention, so as to prevent any further annoyance...
TAYLOR, KIRKMAN & COLLEY
Prescot Reporter, February 1879
📷 Photos kindly shared by Steven
